Gear availability and synchronization indicator system with selectively maskable display

ABSTRACT

A gear availability indicator for multi-gear transmissions of motor vehicles capable of generating output signals for operation of a display, including a display having at least: a first section displaying a range of acceptable engine speeds; and a second section displaying at least one gear symbol representative of at least one gear ratio value, the displayed range of acceptable engine speeds and the at least one displayed gear symbol being moveable relative to one another; and means for selectively masking at least one of the first section and the second section.

Priority is claimed of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/678,895, filed May 5, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to gear availability and synchronization indicator systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to gear availability and synchronization indicator systems that include selectively maskable displays.

2. Related Art

Heavy trucks generally employ manual transmissions having a relatively large number of gears. Such transmissions usually are non-synchromesh transmissions that require that the driven gears and driving gears be rotated at very nearly the same speed before they can intermesh. Thus, for any particular vehicle speed, it is necessary to match the engine speed with the vehicle speed for the particular gear selected before that gear can be engaged.

In order to match engine speed with vehicle speed for a given gear ratio, it is usually necessary to “double clutch” the transmission. This procedure involves first shifting the transmission into neutral and then adjusting the engine speed up or down to match the intended gear and then depressing the clutch and shifting the transmission into that gear.

Experienced truck drivers usually get a feel for what transmission gears are available under normal driving conditions and what engine speeds are necessary to engage these gears. This is frequently a matter of sensitivity to the sound of the engine in comparison with vehicle speed. Inexperienced operators, and even experienced operators in emergencies or under other stressful conditions (e.g., downhill acceleration), have difficultly in determining what gears are available for a particular vehicle speed.

A number of devices have been invented to assist the vehicle operator in shifting smoothly into the next higher or lower gear. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,922, to the present inventor, Kent Price (hereinafter the “Price '922 patent), which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety, discloses a system which has become widely accepted by owners and operators of heavy trucks. In fact, the system disclosed in the Price '922 patent, sold under the tradename “Gearmaster,” has proven so effective in teaching, refining and maintaining gear shifting skills, that some truck driving instructors and fleet operators have expressed concern that drivers can become overdependent on the advantages provided by the '922 patent system, and may not consequently develop the skills required to operate heavy trucks without the Gearmaster system.

Thus, while the Gearmaster system has proven very effective, it has been problematic, in some circumstances, to utilize the Gearmaster system to the exclusion of traditional methods in that skills needed by operators to operate traditional heavy tucks without the Gearmaster may be underdeveloped or underpracticed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a gear availability and synchronization display system that can be utilized for training for the operation of heavy trucks without creating undesirable dependence upon such a system.

The invention provides a gear availability indicator for heavy trucks capable of generating output signals for operation of a display, said display including at least:

-   -   a first section displaying a range of acceptable engine speeds;         and     -   a second section displaying at least one gear symbol         representative of at least one gear ratio value     -   the displayed range of acceptable engine speeds and the at least         one displayed gear symbol being moveable relative to one         another; and         means for selectively masking at least one of the first section         and the second section.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the means for selectively masking allows an operator to selectively mask the first section of the display.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the invention, the means for selectively masking is operable remotely from the indicator.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the invention, the means for selectively masking is removably coupleable to the indicator.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the invention, the means for selectively masking includes a remote switch, operable by a user to successively mask and unmask at least one of the first and second sections of the display.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the invention, a method for training a driver to operate heavy trucks is provided, including the steps of:

displaying with an indicator information relating to engine speed of the heavy truck and available gears via a display including at least:

-   -   a first section displaying a range of acceptable engine speeds;         and     -   a second section displaying at least one gear symbol         representative of at least one gear ratio value     -   the displayed range of acceptable engine speeds and the at least         one displayed gear symbol being moveable relative to one         another; and

selectively masking at least one of the first and second sections of the display to test the driver on his or her knowledge of available gears absent the information provided by the indicator relating to engine speed of the heavy truck and available gears.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the gear availability indicator and illustrating the manner in which it may be mounted in a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing possible alternative mounting positions of the gear availability indicator in a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the manner in which the gear availability indicator is electrically connected to a vehicle;

FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of the invention, in which the gear availability indicator is electrically connectable to a data port of a vehicle;

FIGS. 4A-4E are schematic views of one embodiment of the gear availability indicator display screen at various engine speed and vehicle speed conditions;

FIG. 4B′ is a schematic view of the gear availability indicator display screen of FIG. 4B, with the gear availability information masked;

FIG. 4B″ is a schematic view of the gear availability indicator display screen of FIG. 4B, with the gear availability information, engine speed and vehicle speed information masked;

FIG. 5 is a modified display screen that contains a vehicle speed display and employs manually movable range indicators;

FIG. 6 is a view of the display screen of a second embodiment of a gear availability indicator;

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the indicator of FIG. 6, using light emitting diodes instead of a CRT display wherein the numbers are fixed and the range indicator moves;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an engine speed control and display for automatic synchronized shifting;

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view of a data port with a hand-operated masking module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a series of views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a gear availability indicator 10 comprises a housing 12 having a display 14 on a front face thereof. The housing 12 is mounted in a bracket 18, which is in turn mounted to a surface such as a dashboard 20 of a truck. The bracket 18 comprises a back plate 22 and perpendicular end plates 24, each of which has one or more apertures 26 therein. The fasteners 28 extend through the apertures 26 and into openings 30 in ends 32 of the indicator housing 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, bracket 18 can either be mounted on a horizontal surface 20 of a vehicle or on a vertical surface 34. The bottom 21 of the housing 12 is positioned adjacent the back plate 22 when the indicator is mounted on the horizontal surface 20, as represented by the housing 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2, whereas the back 23 of the housing 12 (the side opposite the display screen 14) is adjacent to the back plate 22 when the indicator is mounted on the vertical surface 34, as shown by housing 12 in dashed line in FIG. 2. This mounting mechanism facilities positioning and adjustment of the indicator in any particular vehicle. By using only a single fastener 28 in each end of the housing 12, the housing can also be pivoted with respect to the back plate 22. This further improves the adjustability of the viewing angle of the mechanism. A second fastener 29 that rides in an arcuate slot 31 in the end plate 24 also provides for pivotal adjustment of the indicator and selves to secure the indicator in an adjusted position.

To mount the mechanism, the back plate 22 is first mounted to the vehicle by fasteners 36 that extend through openings 38 in the back plate. A pressure sensitive adhesive or Velcro™ strip 40 on the back plate 22 could be used in addition or alternatives to the fasteners 36. Once the back plate 22 is mounted securely, the housing 12 is mounted between the end plates 24 by the fasteners 28.

The indicator 10 may alternatively be mounted to a sun visor through a clip mechanism (not shown) or may be attached to the roof of a vehicle. The indicator 10 can include an electrical cable 42 that extends to a sensor 44 to detect the speed of the vehicle. An electrical cable 46 extends to a sensor 48 that detects the speed of rotation of the engine 50 of the vehicle. While other types of sensors could work, in a typical installation, the existing sensors for a speedometer and tachometer on a truck are of the pulse-generation type that generate electrical pulses representative of the engine speed and vehicle speed. The pulses are transmitted to electronic circuitry that is calibrated in a well known manner to indicate vehicle speed in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour and engine speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). The indicator 10 receives its power from the vehicle battery 52 by a power cord 54 which can be connected to the battery through a cigarette lighter or hard wired into the system, such as a fuse box shown schematically at 56.

An important feature of the present invention is that the gear availability indicator can be connected to existing vehicle pulse-type sensors (which are usually Hall-effect sensors) that are representative of engine speed and vehicle speed. As shown in FIG. 3, the engine speed sensor 48 can be mounted proximal to the engine output shaft 51 and adapted to generate a pulse with each revolution of the output shaft 51 in order to provide engine speed information. This sensor also could be mounted to the input shaft 41 of the transmission 39 (i.e., downstream of clutch 43). However, the upstream location indicator is preferred, since engine speed information would be lost when the clutch is disengaged. Further, most trucks already have an engine speed sensor in that location and the indicator can be attached to the existing sensor without requiring a new one.

The vehicle speed sensor 44 can be attached adjacent to a freewheeling or driven vehicle wheel 49 or 49A so as to generate a pulse with each revolution of the vehicle wheel. In a preferred arrangement, the vehicle speed sensor 44 is mounted on the transmission and in proximity to the gear wheel (not shown) of the transmission output shaft 53. The sensor 44 generates an electrical pulse each time a tooth from the gear rotates past the sensor so as to measure the rotation speed of the transmission output shaft 53 which is indicative of vehicle speed. Alternatively, the speed sensor 44 may be mounted proximal to any other rotating component in the drive train between the transmission output shaft and the vehicle wheels.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gear availability indicator 10 receives pulse information from the sensors 44, 48 and processes the information in a central processing unit (CPU) 55. Output from the central processing unit is directed to a display screen 57, which can be one of several types, as discussed below. The CPU includes a memory component, which may be in the form of an EPROM, EEPROM, etc., for storing the computer program, and a non-volatile RAM for storing calibration factors, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention, in which the various input signals to the CPU 55 are each routed from a data port plug 150. This application can be beneficial for later model trucks, in which engine controls and inputs are electronic rather than mechanical. In such systems, control signals, such as engine speed and vehicle speed, are generally provided to the engine via electronic sensors (not shown). In order to perform diagnostic evaluations of the vehicle, most of the engine controls and inputs are often available in one or more localized areas to allow a diagnostician to monitor each of the signals to perform diagnosis of the vehicle.

Oftentimes, a data port (not shown) is located either below a dashboard (20 in FIG. 1) of the vehicle or near a door of the vehicle to provide easy access to the data port by the diagnostician. Many such data ports are equipped with a “standard” 6- or 9-pin coupling that receives a standard 6- or 9-pin coupler from a data cable. The present invention advantageously utilizes a 6- or 9-pin data port plug 150 that can be coupled with an existing data port (not shown) provided on many conventional heavy trucks. As such data ports are generally only used for diagnostic purposes, they are generally not in use when the heavy trucks are in operation. Thus, by coupling the data port plug 150 with the data port provided on the truck, the present invention can be very rapidly coupled with the control and input signals of the truck, including, in particular, the engine speed signal and vehicle speed signal.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the indicator of the present invention requires some type of communication with the engine and vehicle speed condition, and can be provided with that information in a variety of manners. While the present invention utilizes the data port provided with many late model trucks, it is to be understood that the present invention can be provided with the various data inputs discussed herein in a variety of manners, including the hard-wired examples discussed as well as various wireless sensors, detectors, etc.

Returning to FIG. 3, the display screen 57 may be a CRT screen or any other type of display screen that is used for computer display screens or signs. One alternative to a CRT type of screen is a less expensive light emitting diode screen that is capable of forming letters or numerals, such as an alpha-numeric display. A simple band of light emitting diodes or other light elements, as shown in FIG. 7, is also an alternative for at least the second embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, the display 14 includes a fixed scale 62 at the bottom of a CRT or LED display screen 63. The fixed scale 62 represents engine speed in RPM and can be printed adjacent the display screen 63. A moving indicator 64, shown here as a triangle, scrolls along a display screen row 66 above the vehicle speed scale and is calibrated to reflect the actual gear ratio engaged at the present engine speed in RPM. A row 68 above the moving or scrolling engine speed indicator 64 on the screen 63 displays a moving or scrolling scale 60 of vehicle gear ratios represented by gear symbols, with each gear symbol moving along the scale to reflect the engine speed that would be necessary to engage that gear at the existing vehicle speed. The gear symbols can be in the form of icons, bars, triangles, numbers, letters, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the symbols are in the form of numbers, with each number representing a different gear ratio.

The position of each gear symbol on the scale is calculated by the CPU as a function of vehicle speed. Vehicle speed can be calculated for each gear in the transmission as a product of the speed of the engine times the drive or gear ratio for the entire drive train when the transmission is in a particular gear. Thus, the gear ratio for any gear is the ratio of the engine speed to the vehicle speed while that gear is engaged. Knowing the gear ratio for each gear, one can calculate the engine speed that would be necessary to produce the existing vehicle speed for each gear in the drive train. The CPU does this continuously and displays a numeral representing each of the gears in the transmission at the appropriate engine speed position on the fixed engine speed scale for the existing vehicle speed.

With the fixed scale representing the actual operating range for the engine (for example 0 to 2600 RPM), the gears that would be operating in that engine speed range appear on the screen and move or scroll up and down according to the speed of the vehicle. The spacing between each gear number varies as a function of engine RPM and vehicle speed. When the vehicle slows down and the engine speed is reduced, the spacing between the gear symbols on the screen 63 is reduced. Eventually, all of the gear symbols will collapse on 0 (zero) RPMs when the vehicle is not moving.

The top row of the screen 63 depicts the desired engine operating range in the form of a bar 72 or other visual indication. This range may be selected by the operator and typically would be between a lower engine idle speed 72A (about 700 RPM) and an upper limit 72B (frequently about 2,000 RPM). This range can be entered in the CPU and presented on the display screen as a part of the electronic display, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4E. Alternatively, mechanical indicator arrows 74 that slide along a rail 76 at the edge of the screen can be employed to mechanically set visual limits (FIG. 5). It is to be understood that the range display can be positioned at other locations on the display than that depicted in FIGS. 4A-4E, such as between the gear symbols and the moving indicator, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

In addition, the display, as shown in FIG. 5, can include an electronic speedometer display 78, with a scrolling cursor or position marker 80 indicating speed on a fixed scale 82. Vehicle speed 84, engine speed 86 and the actual gear engaged 88 also can be represented digitally on the display screen.

The operation of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E. In FIG. 4A, the vehicle is at rest and the engine is idling at 700 RPM. The operator has preselected the operating range from 700 RPM to 2,000 RPM. Since the vehicle is at rest, none of the gears would be within the range if they were engaged at this point. Thus, it is necessary to depress the clutch in order to engage a gear.

When first gear is engaged and the operator has started moving, the display has the configuration of FIG. 4B. There, the engine speed indicator is positioned opposite the gear symbols as represented by numeral 1 (because the transmission is engaged in first gear), and numeral 1 moves to the right on the scale as engine speed increases, successively followed by the other gear numbers. When engine speed reaches the upper end 72B of the preselected limit, the other gears available within the permissible range 72 are visible in the range. Thus, if the operator desires to switch gears with the vehicle operating as in FIG. 4B, only gears 2 and 3 are available within the selected operating range 72. As vehicle speed increases, the numerals scroll to the right, and higher gear numbers appear within the permissible range 72.

In FIG. 4C, the vehicle is now coasting at 26 miles per hour. The operator has taken his foot off the accelerator, and the engine is idling at 700 RPM. At that vehicle speed, the operator can select gears 4, 5, or 6 within the permissible engine speed range. However, since 700 RPM is too low to shift into one of these gears, the engine speed must be increased to about 820 RPM to shift smoothly into 6th gear. Alternatively, the engine speed can be increased to about 1200 RPM to shift smoothly into 5th gear. Finally, the engine speed can be increased to about 1750 RPM to shift smoothly into 4th gear. Advantageously, it is no longer necessary to use the clutch during shifting, since the engine speed for a particular gear can be matched with great accuracy. All the operator has to do is match the position of the engine speed triangle indicator with the gear number in order to determine when the transmission can be shifted into the designated gear.

In FIG. 4D, the vehicle is now cruising at 55 mph, with its engine turning at 933 RPM. If the vehicle comes to a slight incline, the operator knows instantly by looking at the display screen 63 that the vehicle can be shifted into 7th or 6th gear. If the vehicle comes to a slight downward incline, he can downshift into 7th or 6th gear within the permissible engine speed range 72, thereby causing the engine to slow down the vehicle without operating the brakes. Again, the operator need only glance at the display in order to determine what gears are available and the engine speed indicator can be matched with the appropriate gear during a double clutching operation in order to determine the appropriate engine speed to shift into the lower gear. This is an especially important feature in a panic situation where vehicle speed must be braked to the maximum extent possible by downshifting.

FIG. 4E illustrates a display employing a narrower operating range 90. This may be used to indicate the range where the engine develops more torque or is more efficient. In this instance, the vehicle is in 7th gear and there are no other gears within the desired operating range. A very important feature of the present invention is that the indicator mechanism does not have to be manufactured or factory set to match the gear ratios of any particular vehicle or transmission. Instead, the indicator can easily be calibrated or recalibrated by the operator in any vehicle, using two calibration push-button switches, a select switch 92 and a set switch 94 (see FIG. 1). A single switch or more than two switches could be employed, but the process can be performed most conveniently with two switches. The switches 92, 94 are connected to the CPU to select calibration options and to store the settings.

To calibrate or recalibrate the indicator for any vehicle, the following procedure is followed: First, the select switch 92 is depressed, and a vehicle speed calibration screen appears. The instructions will be to operate the vehicle at a given speed, such as at 10 miles per hour. When the vehicle reaches that speed, the set switch 94 is pushed, and the internal speedometer of the indicator mechanism 10 is thereby calibrated to the actual speed of the vehicle. Second, the select switch 92 is again pressed to call up the engine speed calibration. The operator is instructed to rev the engine to a preselected setting, such as 1000 RPM, and the set switch is again depressed. This calibrates the RPM setting of the indicator 10.

Third, the select switch 92 is again depressed to call up the screen for calibrating the gears. To calibrate first gear, the operator is instructed to drive the vehicle in first gear at any speed and press the set switch 94. When this is done, the operator is instructed to shift to 2nd gear drive at any speed and depress the set switch, and so on through all of the gears. As soon as the set switch is depressed for each of the gears, the effective gear ratio or drive ratio for each gear is calibrated. As a result, it is unnecessary to know the actual gear ratio or other particular parameters of the vehicle.

With this simple calibration mechanism, the indicator can be installed in a vehicle and calibrated in a matter of minutes simply by alternately depressing the select and set switches. Another embodiment 100 of a simplified display for the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the numbers of the gears do not scroll across the screen. Rather, the gear numbers occupy a fixed scale or row 102 that either appears on the display screen, or preferably is printed on a bar that extends across the display. A visual bar 104 representing the gear availability range scrolls across the screen adjacent to the fixed gear numbers. Thus, the gear availability bar is constantly positioned adjacent the gears that are available.

The display also includes a “gear ratio” cursor or position marker 106 (such as an arrow or triangle) that represents the ratio between vehicle speed and engine speed. This ratio will identify a particular gear when the vehicle is engaged in that gear. Thus, if the vehicle is in 4th gear, the indicator will be positioned adjacent the 4 on the scale, as shown by phantom indicator 106′. If the vehicle is in neutral or the clutch is depressed, the ratio between vehicle speed and engine speed becomes variable, as represented by position marker 106. Thus, the indicator really represents the gear ratio that would be applicable if the vehicle were in gear at a particular vehicle speed and engine speed. The ratio between the engine speed and vehicle speed can be considered to be the effective gear ratio. This display is connected to a CPU and sensors in the same manner as the display illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E, and the unit is calibrated in the same manner with set and select push-button switches.

In operation, with the display of FIG. 6, as a vehicle speeds up in first gear, for example, the gear indicator will be positioned opposite the numeral 1 on the scale, while the moving gear availability bar 104 moves to the left, covering gears 2 and 3 or whatever other gears are available within the desired engine speed range. When the gear is shifted to gear 2 and acceleration continues, the bar continues to move to the left until gear 2 reaches its maximum engine speed, then the gear is shifted to some other gear that falls within the permissible shift range. The operator knows when he can shift into a gear when the gear ratio cursor is positioned opposite a gear number on the scale. This display does not indicate actual RPMs or actual vehicle speed but simply indicates the gear the vehicle can be shifted into and the range of gears to which the vehicle may be shifted at the existing vehicle speed within a particular engine speed range.

An advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that it is simple and less expensive than the embodiment of FIG. 4. Since it is not necessary to display any numerals on a display screen, a less complicated display screen capable of displaying only a triangle or a moving bar is all that is required. By eliminating the necessity to scroll numerals and by limiting the size of the display, the cost of this unit can be reduced significantly.

Another display 110 for implementing the system of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7. In this display, the gear ratio indicator 112 and the gear availability indicator 114 are provided by a series of individual light emitting diodes 116 or other light sources in a row. The LEDs may be illuminated to provide a gear availability band 118 that moves along the row, and the gear indicator light can be a single LED 120 on the bottom row. This minimizes the cost of the display and yet provides useful information in a display of modest cost.

With reference now to FIG. 8, a schematic diagram of an engine speed control and display for automatic synchronized shifting is illustrated, wherein like parts in the previous embodiments are represented by like numerals. A manual gear shift lever 200 includes a gear shift knob 202 having an up-shift switch 204, a down-shift switch 206 and an actuator switch 207. The switches 204, 206 and 207 are connected to the CPU 55 through lines 208, 210 and 212 respectively, and are normally biased open to provide a logic pulse when one of the switches are closed. A throttle control mechanism or actuator 214 has a reciprocal shaft or cable 216 that is connected to the carburetor throttle (not shown) or fuel injector control (also not shown) for controlling engine speed based on an output signal from the CPU 55 via the line 208. The throttle control mechanism is a well-known component in cruise control systems and therefore will not be described in further detail.

In operation, and by way of example, the indicator 64 of the display 57 reveals that the vehicle is currently in fourth gear. Likewise, the bar 72 indicates that gears 4, 3 and 2 are currently available within the predetermined engine speed range. When it is desired or becomes necessary to up-shift or down-shift, the appropriate switch 204 or 206 is depressed one or more times until the desired gear from the available gears is obtained. In the present example, it is readily apparent that it is not possible to up-shift the transmission into 5th gear since it is out of the range of safe engine speed. If the operator attempts to depress the up-shift switch 204, an audible beep or visual indicator can alert the operator that the target gear is out of the safe vehicle speed range and therefore cannot be engaged. When the down-shift switch 206 is depressed a first time, an indicator 218 appears under the third gear that is visually distinguishable from the indicator 64. The indicator 218 scrolls in unison with the selected gear as the engine speed varies.

If the down-shift switch is depressed a second time, the indicator 218 moves to the second gear position, as represented by dashed lines. If the downshift switch is depressed a third time, an audible error beep or visual error indicator can again alert the operator that the target gear is out of safe vehicle speed range and therefore cannot be engaged. Of course, if other gears are available, the upshift and down-shift switches can be depressed as many times as desired to obtain a target gear. The switches can be depressed while the transmission is in gear or in neutral. If the target gear is selected while the transmission is in gear, the gear lever 200 should be moved to neutral before depressing the actuator switch 207.

Once the actuator switch 207 is depressed, the CPU sends an output signal to the actuator 214 to increase or decrease the engine speed and enable smooth shifting into the target gear. Once the appropriate engine speed is obtained within a certain tolerance range, e.g. within 100 RPM or less of the ideal engine speed for the target gear, an audible beep or visual indicator that is distinct from the error beep or error indicator alerts the operator that the transmission can be synchronously shifted into the target gear. Although not shown, an engine brake may also be connected to the CPU 55 to quickly reduce the engine speed during up-shifting.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention in which means for selectively masking a portion of the information displayed by the gear availability indicator is provided. In the embodiment shown, the means for selectively masking includes a hand-operated module 152 that includes a switch 154 that can be depressed by an operator's finger or thumb. The module 152 can be coupled to the data cable 151 that normally provides communication between the data port plug 150 and the indicator 10 a. In the embodiment shown, the hand module is spliced into the cable 151, however, in one embodiment the cable 151 includes a port (not shown) incorporated therein that allows removable coupling of the hand module 152 to the indicator 10 a.

The means for selectively masking a portion of the information displayed by the gear availability indicator can be utilized in a number of scenarios. In one embodiment, a truck driving instructor may have access to the hand module 152 to allow the instructor to selectively mask the types of information displayed by the indicator to an individual that the instructor is training. As it has been found the present invention provides a marked improvement to the learning process of operating heavy trucks, it may be the case that students become over-reliant upon the present system and will not become adept at operating vehicles that haven't been equipped with the present invention. In this case, the driving instructor can utilize the means for selectively masking a portion of the information displayed by the indicator to either test a student's knowledge when the student does not have access to the information otherwise displayed, or to force the student to operate the vehicle in the “conventional” manner, e.g., without having access to the information displayed by the indicator.

As the means for masking can be selectively operated, an instructor might, for example, mask the information otherwise displayed to force a student to operate the truck under “normal” conditions, e.g., those conditions in which an indicator or display in accordance with the present invention may not be present in the truck. Once this phase of instruction has passed, the instructor can selectively disengage the means for masking to return the display to its original state. The means for masking can also be disengaged (i.e., all information can be again displayed) if the student encounters dangerous or stressful driving conditions to allow the student to pass through such a situation without risking an accident. As the means for masking can be very quickly engaged or disengaged (by depressing switch 154 in FIG. 9, for example), an instructor can test a student's skill at various times during a particular training period.

The means for selectively masking a portion of the information displayed by the indicator can take a variety of forms. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a switch is operably coupled to the control circuitry and/or the CPU 55 of the indicator (10 a in FIG. 3A) to mask information that is otherwise displayed by the indicator. The masking process can be accomplished in variety of manners, as would occur to one having ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the term “masking” is to be understood to a process in which information that is otherwise displayed by the indicator is either blocked from being displayed, is blocked from the vision of the operator, or is blocked from being received by or provided to the display. Thus, the means for selecting masking information otherwise displayed by the indicator can be operable to alter the display 14, the CPU 55, or may physically shield (by way of a moveable screen or similar device) the information from being viewed by the operator. The means for selectively masking is to be understood to include a variety of suitable devices that are capable of blocking or otherwise interrupting the display of information by the indicator, and is not limited to the examples shown and discussed herein.

One example of blocked or masked output of the indicator is illustrated in FIGS. 4B, 4B′ and 4B′″. In the state shown in FIG. 4B, the available gears under the engine speed bar 72 are shown (in this case, gears 4, 3, 2 and 1). However, in the aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 4B′, the available gears have been masked by the means for selectively masking information such that the operator cannot utilized the indicator to determine which gears are available. Thus, the operator would have to resort to his or her working knowledge of the truck to know which gears are presently available. In the example shown in FIG. 4B′, only the gear availability information is masked from view. In the aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 4B″, most or all of the variable information otherwise displayed by the indicator is blocked, including the gear availability information, the engine speed information, the present gear information and the vehicle speed information. This embodiment may advantageous in situations where an instructor wishes that a student obtain no information from the indicator, and result to driving using only information provided by the vehicle's “original” equipment, e.g., the original tachometer, speedometer, etc.

In addition to the structure disclosed above, the present invention also provides a method for training a driver to operate heavy trucks, including the steps of: displaying with an indicator information relating to engine speed of the heavy truck and available gears via a display including at least: a first section displaying a range of acceptable engine speeds; and a second section displaying at least one gear symbol representative of at least one gear ratio value, the displayed range of acceptable engine speeds and the at least one displayed gear symbol being moveable relative to one another; and selectively masking at least one of the first and second sections of the display to test the driver on his or her knowledge of available gears absent the information provided by the indicator relating to engine speed of the heavy truck and available gears.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth herein. 

1. A method for training a driver to operate heavy trucks, comprising the steps of: displaying with an indicator information relating to engine speed of the heavy truck and available gears via a display, the display including at least: a first section displaying a range of acceptable engine speeds; and a second section displaying at least one gear symbol representative of at least one gear ratio value; the displayed range of acceptable engine speeds and the at least one displayed gear symbol being moveable relative to one another; and selectively masking at least one of the first and second sections of the display to test the driver on his or her knowledge of available gears absent the information provided by the indicator relating to engine speed of the heavy truck and available gears.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively masking includes selectively masking the first section of the display.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively masking includes selectively masking the second section of the display.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively masking includes selectively masking the first section of the display and the second section of the display.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively masking is performed remotely from the indicator.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein an instructor selectively masks at least one of the first and second sections of the display.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the driver selectively masks at least one of the first and second sections of the display. 